The sewing competition show is back, but who’s who in this year’s line-up?
Season 9 of The Great British Sewing Bee begins tonight (Wednesday 24th May) and once more, the series will see a new batch of contestants battle it out in a host of challenges for the title of Britain’s Best Amateur Sewer.
Sara Pascoe, Patrick Grant and Esme Young are all back for the new season and the line-up of 12 competitors has now been revealed. They’ll take on three challenges each week, with one lucky sewer being given Garment of the Week and, unfortunately, one being sent home.
The first episode of the new season will see the sewers take on “classics with a twist”. For their first Pattern Challenge, the sewers will have to make a top with a twist at its centre – a straightforward construction with a tricky brain-teaser. The Transformation Challenge and Made to Measure round are set to be exciting also, but who will impress the judges?
Wondering who’s who in this year’s competition? Read on for everything you need to know about the contestants in the Great British Sewing Bee 2023.
The Great British Sewing Bee 2023 cast: Meet the contestants
Asmaa
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Asmaa-359af0c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421396,The")
Age: 46
Occupation: Consultant breast surgeon
From: Cardiff
Instagram: @sewgical_endeavours
During the Iraq and Iran War, Asmaa would spend her time watching and learning from her grandmother who was a seamstress. She would hand sew the wardrobe for her dolls, using any scraps and remnants she could find. Now working as a consultant breast surgeon, Asmaa specialises in making underwear and has even created post-op bras for her breast cancer patients.
Catherine
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Catherine-7ccab2b.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421392,The")
Age: 34
Occupation: Senior games designer
From: West Sussex
Instagram: @catmoomie
A BAFTA Award-winning video games designer, West Sussex-based Catherine invested in a sewing machine when she bought her first home and has been sewing ever since. She tries to dress sustainably and repurposes day dresses into underwear or other garments.
Fauve
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Fauve-27e5796.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421391,The")
Age: 26
Occupation: Trainee solicitor
From: Swansea
Instagram: @sew_fauve
A trainee solicitor based in Swansea, Fauve is also a top golfer who has represented Wales in the Home Nationals. The sewing bug bit five years ago when she went along to a sewing class and made a peg bag. Now, she sews in the evenings and likes creating puff-sleeved feminine dresses.
Gillie
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Gillie-28db4a5.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421395,The")
Age: 73
Occupation: Retired secretary and HR manager
From: Nottingham
Nottingham-based Gillie started sewing at the age of seven after her mother taught her how to thread a needle. She takes inspiration from French fashion, especially Coco Chanel and adores elegant designer clothing.
Lauren
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Lauren-4153d9a.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421393,The")
Age: 30
Occupation: Sales assistant, home furnishings company
From: Walsall
Instagram: @madebylaurentedstone
Initially training to be a barrister, Lauren now works as a sales assistant at a local home furnishings company in the Midlands so she can devote more time to her children. She first started to sew when she decided to make a quilted memory blanket using her children’s baby clothes, and now sews for herself having learnt from online tutorials.
Lizzie
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Lizzie-8e0156e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421398,The")
Age: 49
Occupation: Creative Director, graphic design
From: Bristol
Instagram: @thebettysilk
A creative director of her own graphics company, Bristol-based Lizzie was taught to sew by her mum, who passed away when she was young. Lizzie now sews as a way of staying connected to her and likes making clothes for her active lifestyle and for work.
Maria
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Maria-ee8ed84.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421404,The")
Age: 34
Occupation: A&E Nurse
From: Fife
Instagram: @marzi_the_amble_stitcher
Costa Rica-born Maria works as an A&E nurse in Fife and uses sewing as the ultimate unwind after a stressful shift. Her mother taught her the basics but she’s largely self-taught and enjoys making clothes, as well as handbags and purses which has led her to dabble in leatherwork.
Matthew
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Matthew-9e51529.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421403,The")
Age: 30
Occupation: Dancer and teaching assistant
From: Peterborough
Instagram: @matthew_jrd91
Peterborough-based Matthew trained to be a dancer and has performed at the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, UEFA Champions League Final and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant. When he’s not sewing, Matthew works at a primary school as a teaching assistant and is influenced in his style by the drag scene, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.
Mia
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Mia-3bcdc4e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421394,The")
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
From: Surrey
Instagram: @miasartyfarty
Mia is this year’s youngest sewer at age 20 and started sewing during lockdown after her mum bought a sewing machine. She was meant to go to university but deferred for two years and fell in love with sewing in that time. She now hopes to sew professionally and has applied to study costume design, which she is due to start after the show.
Tony R
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-TonyR-7ae189d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421401,The")
Age: 53
Occupation: Postman
From: Cornwall
Instagram: @tonyr.maker
Previously having worked as a high-flying manager in a manufacturing firm, Tony would often keep himself busy on long-haul flights to the Far East where he lived with crocheting and knitting. After changing careers three years ago, he pulled out his wife’s old sewing machine and has since made himself cycling gear and his own wardrobe influenced by ’90s skater fashion.
Tony W
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-TonyW-a682840.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421402,The")
Age: 33
Occupation: Teacher
From: Essex
Instagram: @house_of_tony_makes
A primary school teacher in Essex, Tony was actually influenced to take up sewing after watching the show’s first season. He has run a sewing club for children and mainly sews for himself, often opting for big bold fabric patterns for his shirts and tailored waistcoats.
Vicki
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/05/SewingBee-Vicki-e1f4c8e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"421399,The")
Age: 30
Occupation: Police dispatcher
From: Lincolnshire
Instagram: @whatvickimade
Working as a police dispatcher, Vicki often uses sewing as a release for what can often be a stressful job. Her love of sewing began as a child when her grandmother taught her to sew a straight line and she went on to sew her children’s handmade outfits. Now, she sews to be able to dress how she likes and believes sewing has enabled her to express that one size does not fit all.
The Great British Sewing Bee returns at 8pm on Wednesday 24th May on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.